From Seed to Cure: A Regenerative Indoor Cultivation Grow-Along

Grow alongside cannabis cultivator Viondy Merisma through a 23-week exploration of regenerative indoor cultivation. From Seed to Cure is rooted in Korean Natural Farming (KNF), which provides the foundation for Viondy’s own cultivation practice, while also creating space to learn from the many regenerative approaches shaping cannabis cultivation today. Rather than following a single prescribed recipe, participants will explore how different philosophies and practices can inform a living cultivation system, with an emphasis on observation, adaptability, and learning directly from the plants.

The program follows Viondy’s personal 4x4 indoor garden as a reference garden from seed through harvest, drying, curing, and reflection. Participants can grow alongside the cohort at home or follow the reference garden and participate in discussions and guest sessions. The 23-week program combines virtual sessions with designated in-person meetings at Simmons University, bringing in experienced growers and regenerative practitioners at different stages to share their methods and perspectives. As the crop develops, the plants will help shape the pace and focus of the program, creating an opportunity to learn, compare experiences, and make cultivation decisions in real time.

Throughout the grow-along, participants will:

• Follow one reference garden from seed and genetics through vegetative growth, flowering, harvest, drying, curing, and storage.
• Explore KNF, JADAM, living soil, no-till, native soil, biological fertility, microbial inputs, regenerative preparations, and other approaches to regenerative cultivation.
• Develop and improve an indoor growing environment, including lighting, airflow, temperature, humidity, VPD, fertility, soil biology, and environmental control.
• Build cultivation skills through genetics and cultivar expression, topping, pruning, training, canopy development, flowering, integrated pest management, and plant-health troubleshooting.
• Learn to recognize changes in plant health and development and understand how cultivation decisions influence later growth, flower development, aroma, resin, and overall quality.
• Explore harvest readiness, cultivar-specific harvest windows, and post-harvest practices including drying, curing, and storage.
• Compare cultivation approaches and commercially available inputs while developing the ability to evaluate and adapt practices based on observation and experience.

FORMAT

Classes take place on Wednesdays twice monthly. Participants have two ways to take part:

Fully Virtual: Attend the entire grow-along through Zoom.

Hybrid: Attend designated in-person meetings at Simmons University while joining virtual meetings through Zoom.

All in-person meetings will also include Zoom access, allowing participants and guest educators outside Massachusetts to remain fully involved.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Viondy Merisma, Vice President of the Board of Directors for NOFA/Mass, is a Soilsmith, cannabis cultivator, and advocate for soil health, food sovereignty, and community resilience. His work bridges regenerative agricultural practices and the cannabis community, with a focus on biological cultivation, Korean Natural Farming, soil health, and community-based education.

Viondy’s cultivation philosophy emphasizes observation and learning directly from the plant rather than relying on one fixed recipe. His approach uses KNF as a foundation while remaining open to other regenerative practices and the knowledge developed by experienced growers across different systems. With a background in youth mentorship and community organization, Viondy seeks to create learning environments where people can develop hands-on skills, build confidence, and learn from one another.

COST

Sliding Scale — $120 / $160 / $200. Scholarships are available. Registration is open on a rolling basis. To apply for a scholarship, click here.

ACCESSIBILITY

In-person meetings will be held at Simmons University in an accessible classroom or meeting space. The final room and specific accessibility information will be included in the Cohort Welcome Packet. Zoom will be used for virtual participation, and captions can be enabled during online meetings.

Simmons University is located in the Fenway area in Boston. Taking public transportation is recommended. Free street parking is available, though limited, and garage parking is available at a cost. Learn more about parking and directions. 

Please contact us at events@nofamass.org in advance regarding any requested accommodations so appropriate arrangements can be made.

REFUND / INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

Refunds are provided until 10 days before the first scheduled meeting, minus a 15% processing fee. No refunds are available within 10 days of the beginning of the grow-along. For complete NOFA/Mass refund and inclement weather policies, click here.